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NEWS: Pioneer's stylish cinema systems

27th May 2008

There's yet more from Pioneer, with news of home cinema in a box systems and the company's DVD range to follow. First up, home cinema in a box systems. The DCS-575, due in June at around £300, leads the way with a host of functionality.

Features include an HDMI output with 1080p upscaling, a USB socket with host function to support WMA/MP3/JPEG files, and front satellite speakers that have the centre channel built-in (operating as a ‘phantom’ design), plus a downward-firing 16cm subwoofer. It’ll also accept audio via its optical digital input, and even features MCACC automatic calibration.

That’s joined by the DCS-580, which is essentially the same thing, but with larger, more conventionally arranged floorstanding speakers. It’s set to cost £100 more.

Next up is the ultra-stylish LX-03, due in October for £700. This lifestyle DVD system uses Pioneer’s now-familiar ‘phantom’ centre speaker arrangement, and offers a brushed titanium finish in gloss black, Pioneer’s Kuro Link for easy operation, an iPod Digital input, and – remarkably - DVD-A and SACD playback.

Cleverly, it boasts an automatic level control to moderate levels between incoming sources, plus, in a very cute touch, it includes a motion sensor to take it out of standby. Approach it, and the controls illuminate to react to your presence.

More after the break

Pioneer also plans to offer the same basic unit with the DVD tray stripped out, to be sold as the SX-LX08: this is designed to be upgraded with Pioneer’s new lifestyle Blu-ray player, the BDP-LX08, along side it. With the same speakers from the LX-03 system included, the complete LX-03BD system is set to cost £1300.

The LX-01 system we’ve reviewed and raved about continues, now costing around £1600. It’s been subtly improved, though, thanks to an enhanced remote, with improved buttons and a blue backlight.

It’ll be joined in November time by a Profile 1.1 Blu-ray player system, the LX-01BD. Featuring 2 HDMI inputs and one out, 1080p video scaling and the same array of high-definition audio decoding options as its sibling, it’s set to cost £2000.